Abu Dhabi: With six months to go until the UAE hosts its largest ever sports event, group tickets to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 are now available and already receiving high interest from several local businesses.

In support of the Local Organising Committee’s aim of ‘Bringing Asia Together’, group ticket packages allow businesses the chance to bring their employees, no matter their nationality or football knowledge, to celebrate Asia as one. This is the first ticket release from the LOC and offers groups the chance to reserve tickets before the 51 match, 24 nation tournament goes on general sale later this summer.

His Excellency Aref Hamed Al Awani, Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee, said: "We’ve had a phenomenal amount of interest from the business community in the UAE looking to secure seats to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, which is exciting to see. These packages will allow local companies the opportunity to bring their employees together for a truly unforgettable experience and in turn support us unite a continent in the Emirates.

“We have a very diverse workforce in the UAE, which includes most of the Asian nations heading to compete here in January 2019. We also have many football fans from these countries and others from Western nations living in the UAE, too. We see a real chance here for employees to be brought together in a celebration of football and Asia.”

Dato Windsor John, General Secretary of the Asian Football Confederation said: “Asian Cup is the pinnacle of national team football in Asia and the tournament in UAE will be the biggest and best ever staged with the potential for thousands of fans to follow their teams. The UAE is home to a diverse population and the group sales offer them all a chance to take part in this celebration of football.”

Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala) is one of many to apply for group ticket packages for employees, giving them the opportunity to share the incredible atmosphere as a united team.

Homaid Al Shimmari, Deputy Group CEO and Chief Corporate & Human Capital Officer at Mubadala Investment Company said: “Hosting this tournament is an important moment for Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Not only is this a celebration of sporting achievement but it reflects the existing world-class infrastructure and the UAE’s ability to attract major sporting global events. We are looking forward to be a part of this tremendous event.”

An expanded tournament format for 2019 will witness the best 24 national teams from Asia participate in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 making it the largest AFC Asian Cup to ever be staged and the biggest sporting event hosted in the UAE.

In total, 51 matches will be played between January 5 and February 1, 2019 in eight stadiums located in four cities across three Emirates.

The final draw took place on May 4 , 2018, with each group offering some tremendous ties. To enquire or apply for corporate group tickets, please contact [email protected]